Pretty much what I thought, writing something off without using it, or at least using it correctly (sorry ... they're a lot different than rods used for match fishing).
 
Is it a fad? Maybe, but I don't think so. I rarely see anyone fishing them in the states. Online they largely get written off by people who haven't even tried them, as you see here.
 
It's just another style of fishing with it's own applications. Anyway, I picked it up from Japanese folks before they were being marketed in the US. Don't really see how it's relevant. There are fads and then there are things that catch on and stick. If it works, it works.
 

Bring that thing to Laurel Highlands sometime, I'd love to see you use it anywhere than the Yough river.

 
Already have. When I do trout fish in Western PA, that's usually where I head (if I don't cross into West Virginia). I've used one quite effectively on both Mill Runs (trib to Big Sandy and trib to Indian Creek), Quebec Run, Big Sandy, Indian Creek (DHALO) and the Loyalhanna. The last three are a little bigger. The first three are pretty small and overgrown. Never had a problem. Definitely less snags than I got fishing the same waters with a spinning rod or a fly rod. Maybe I need to work on my sling-shot cast.
 
I've caught fish with a Tenkara on Letort Spring too, and that's a real tough place to fish between the clear limestone water, spooky wild trout, overgrown banks and aquatic vegetation.
 
As I said, Tenkaras are not really designed for large streams (or rivers like the Yough). They're designed for small mountain streams, just like the ones that abound in the Laurel Highlands. You just have to learn to use them, like anything else. No one's going to force you to, of course. And a fly rod will definitely work. So will a spinning rod. So will Powerbait. So will rotenone.
 
It was just a recommendation.
 
 

Honestly, I'd have to see it to believe it. 

Tenkara rods are cool to play around with, but in all honesty I think they hinder the small stream experience.  I mean think of how many time casting and even bow casting gets gnarled in the laurel with a 7 ft rod, now try doubling that rod length.  Fly fishing can be as nostalgic as you want to make it, just dont denounce 200 years of technology and shove the history of the sport down everyone's throat. To each his own, and if someone wants to battle a 12 ft tenk rod on 6 ft streams go right ahead, just don't argue against centuries of advancement in the sport. Just my two cents
 
Nick

so... I catch creek chubs for bait on my surf rod tip with mono tied to the end. $ says that I can catch a wild trout the same way. When I was little I tied mono to sticks. Also works.
 
I'd take a mid length fly rod to an overgrown stream. Use whatever you fancy.

Pick an area with a bunch of listed wild streams and take a hike. You'll run into fish or at least determine which streams are worth wandering.

for what it's worth, here's my 2 cents on the subject. if your fishing tight creeks, i go with a 5 1/2' 3 wt (which i made myself) since casting more than 30' is a stretch on most of these streams, i make myself fit into them, or adapt my technique, as in dapping or dabbling, but it really doesn't matter what you use, as long as you're comfortable with it